HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Another first-year principal in the Huntsville school district is leaving.

Chad Laqua (The Huntsville Times)

Chad Laqua, principal of Butler High School, is the latest to turn in his resignation papers. Laqua was one of eight principals hired last July, just weeks after Superintendent Casey Wardynski took the helm of the school system.

Laqua's resignation is effective June 15.

The former Buckhorn High School assistant principal said Friday that he came to his decision following a conversation with Wardynski.

"I had a discussion with the superintendent and he thought that it would be best," Laqua said. He declined to go into further detail, but called the outcome a "mutual decision."

Wardynski could not be reached for comment Friday.

Laqua, a longtime member of the Alabama National Guard, said he is thinking of exploring further opportunities in the military.

He thanked Wardynski for giving him the chance to lead Butler High. He said the school has made great strides in the past year.

"Butler is a significantly different place from when I arrived," Laqua said. "The culture has changed in a positive way, and I think students are better prepared for the future."

He said he anticipates seeing proof of that change when test scores come out later this month.

Laqua is the second first-year principal to resign in the past month. Davis Hills Middle School principal Kurus Jamison's resignation was approved by the school board March 15.

Jamison, who was hired at the same time as Laqua, will also see his resignation become effective June 15.

Wardynski said last month that several principals would be leaving due to tough evaluations by his staff.

New principals are also coming into the district. The board on Thursday approved the hire of Dan Meier, principal of Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County, Va.. Meier's assignment in Huntsville has not yet been decided.

Two other new principals have been hired since February without a specific assignment in mind. Michael Scott Campbell is principal of Centreville High School, also in Fairfax County, and Ray Landers is coming to the district from Attalla, where he served as superintendent.